Brisbane's weather rained on Jonathan Brown's parade, but his Lions teammates ensured North Melbourne didn't with a stirring four-point Gabba upset.

The Lions continued inconsistent North's fluctuating fortunes, as well as a nine-year GABBA drought, with a tense 10.10 (70) to 9.12 (66) win.

Leading by 20 points at the last change, the Lions kicked five behinds in the final quarter and held on by their fingernails for a massive morale-booster.

The Kangaroos, who were well below their best, had their chances in the dying minutes with a long-range Ryan Bastinac shot bouncing through for a behind and Drew Petrie passing when he should have aimed at the sticks.

Irishman Pearce Hanley starred with a game-high 34 possessions while the marks count of 112-39 to the Lions told the story.

With the "Mozzie Squad" of Dayne Zorko, Josh Green and Lewis Taylor at their dangerous best, the Lions kicked 10 of the 11 goals after the visitors jumped to an early 22-point lead.

In fact, it took until the 23rd-minute mark of the opening term for Green to snap their first major.

But from there, until Petrie twice got out the back late in the third-quarter, the Lions ran the Kangaroos ragged.

"Big Jono Brown isn't there any more, but gee they've got some pace with their small guys," Petrie admitted at half-time.

North looked lethargic and lacked the Lions’ hunger following their dominant start.

Lachie Hansen was a late withdrawal with soreness and missed, while Petrie finished with four goals and Nick Dal Santo (30 disposals) and Sam Gibson (28) were also among their best.

North coach Brad Scott labelled his side's second quarter as disastrous and felt they paid for their complacency after routing the Lions early but only scoring three goals.

"It should have been over at quarter-time such was our dominance," he said.

"It's a lesson for our guys. Nothing comes easily in this competition and you have to work for it.

"Our players know what happened - five goals from stoppages, just completely unacceptable, disorganised, embarrassing.

"But credit to Brisbane, they outplayed us in the second quarter and they looked good tonight, they looked quick."

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch hailed the much-needed win, coming after just three goals in a dreadful away loss to Fremantle, and the icing it delivered on Brown's retirement cake.

"All the romantics out there will be very pleased the fairytale is complete," he said.